Caring for Veterans

According to Nikki Presley, Local Recovery Coordinator with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the best thing we can do for our returning veterans is to “welcome them home with an educated and collaborative community of family, friends and professionals.” In an effort to achieve this goal of better care for veterans, the Marion VA and Evansville Health Care Center are collaborating with the University of Southern Indiana and the Southwest Indiana Area Health Education Center to host a VA Mental Health Summit and Workshop on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. This free event for veterans and health professionals will begin at 8 a.m. CDT at Carter Hall in University Center West at USI.

“Most military veterans and their dependents utilize at least some health care services outside of the Veterans Administration, so it is critically important that the VA and community providers collaborate,” said Joel Matherly, manager of the Veteran, Military & Family Resource Center at USI. “Our goal is to provide veteran-centered, recovery-oriented care, especially in the area of mental health.”

During the morning summit, there will be a resource fair beginning at 7:30 a.m., followed by several presentations from regional experts. Topics will include mental health transitions, women’s health, education and employment, and information on VA programs.

In the afternoon, from 1 to 4:30 p.m., there will be a suicide awareness workshop focusing on suicide prevention, combating the opioid epidemic, and area counseling programs.

The event includes free breakfast, lunch and an opportunity to earn continuing education credit.